PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - March 18, 2026

How the humble hornwort could supercharge agriculture; rural Illinois sites eyed for future data centers; Utah delegation seeks to revoke Grand Staircase monument status; and grant funding at Carnegie Mellon will fight food insecurity.

PA grant funding at Carnegie Mellon to fight food insecurity; pushback continues as DTW considers airport cigar lounge; Congress pressed to fund wildlife crossings as FL panther deaths rise; New England and beyond and IN governor refuses to sign syringe program bill.

Arizona educators push for vouchers on the November ballot; Proposed offshore fish farms pose risks to New England seafood scene; Arizona business owners reeling from health care subsidy cuts, and a call for tariff rebates for U.S. taxpayers.

Israel strikes South Pars natural gas field, PA mother fights cuts to Medicaid affecting child with disabilities and rural ND counties in tough spot when preparing for disasters.

Wisconsin support staff demand respect and better wages; task forces on lowering health care costs take flight in Minnesota; college students hope for the restoration of an education planning program; and civil rights groups call on police to respect laws on use of force.

Ohio guitar pedal company hurting from Trump tariffs, Colorado lawmakers consider banning wage garnishment for medical debt and Washington Peace and Justice Action Conference focuses on activist training.

The Director of the National Counterterrorism Center steps down over opposition to the attacks on Iran; libraries are shaking off politics and leaning into community support; climate change is taking a backseat in media coverage; and Ohio groups work to prevent young men from being pulled into the 'manosphere.'

Michigan Supreme Court weighs Line 5 tunnel dispute, Oregon increases lodging tax to fund wildlife conservation programs and Kentucky residents urge lawmakers to boost crypto scam protections.

As the White House revamps food dye policy, health experts discuss the impacts on kids; postal employees cite dangerous working conditions and push for major reforms; and bill surfaces in Congress to put tariff revenue back in the hands of consumers.

KY social media lawsuit trust fund would provide resources for kids, Confronting the unique challenges of addiction in rural NE, IL looks abroad to rethink youth justice, U.S. food manufacturers asked to voluntarily remove artificial food dyes, New federal bill would give CT, U.S. consumers tariff rebate